Demo funds from DOLA turned back

The fate of the historic Plaza Building along Highway 50 in La Junta remains in limbo, this after a decision from La Junta City Council members to withdraw a grant application to demolish the building Monday evening during regular session.

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By Joe Zemba

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Joe Zemba

Posted Jul. 3, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Joe Zemba
Posted Jul. 3, 2013 at 1:00 PM

The fate of the historic Plaza Building along Highway 50 in La Junta remains in limbo, this after a decision from La Junta City Council members to withdraw a grant application to demolish the building Monday evening during regular session.

Council members voted unanimously to retract an application to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to tear the building down citing several complications in obtaining the grant, coupled with a recent request from a local entrepreneur to utilize the building for commercial use.

According to City Manager Rick Klein, the city has exhausted a number of extensions with GOCO, and several attempts to pursue funding have fallen through.

The oversight of the property will now be placed in the hands of the La Junta Urban Renewal Department, who will look for additional funding to support future plans, which may include restoration, explained Klein.

Possible plans include a partnership with a local business to restore the exterior of the building in exchange for the business owner's agreement to restore the interior of the building.

In April, Urban Renewal board members voted 5-4 to demolish the building, a decision later backed by the City of La Junta.

The Plaza Building was bought by the Urban Renewal Board for about $22,000 three years ago as a possible Highway 50 museum, however, construction plans did not work out. Since then, a Historic Structural Assessment was done at the cost of $14,900. The total estimate of $2.5 million over a 10 year period scared away its backers. The Colorado State Historical Society representatives, appearing at meetings of the Urban Renewal Board, thought the amount was overstated and could be done more economically, although the assessment was thorough and well done.

Members of the Colorado State Historical Society have said they have saved many buildings that are in worse shape. Architect Tim Stroh's more recent condition assessment included as priorities: building envelope - exterior walls, building envelope - roofing and waterproofing, windows and doors, mechanical systems and electrical systems.

The building is quite spacious, with two large downstairs sections and two sizable upstairs apartments. Possible suggestions have included a commercial kitchen available for private rental, such as canning operations, catering, etc.; incubator offices for small businesses to rent for reasonable rates, perhaps running in conjunction with Bill Dutro's Small Business Development Center; a display center for agritourism, including seasonal usage for local producers and agricultural products for off season.

A possible use for the upstairs apartments when restored could be housing for OJC nursing students working part time in La Junta and part time in Pueblo.

In addition to discussions pertaining to the Plaza Building Monday evening, council heard from Lynn Horner and Bev Babb concerning community events and promotion.

Babb informed the board that Pedal the Plains bike riders would be in town Sept. 20. She and several other volunteers are currently seeking family volunteers who are willing to share a bed and bath for an anticipated 1,000 riders. The bike ride is expected to begin in Eads with a stop in La Junta Sept. 20, before returning back to Eads. According to Babb, several businesses have agreed to remain open later in the evening to accomodate riders.

Page 2 of 2 - Furthermore, Babb and Horner discussed possible promotions for trains and the City of La Junta at the La Junta Train Station. Horner suggested having volunteers dress in historic costumes and give a brief history of La Junta, Bent's Fort, the Koshares, and area communities to passengers on trains stopping in La Junta.

Possible volunteers would include Senior Center members, members of the City of La Junta staff, and other volunteers.

Shiela LeRoy addressed the board with concerns including painting pedestrian lines at crosswalks, mosquito spraying, and control of loud dogs, particularly the police dog, which she says is typically in the rear of police vehicles, even on hot days. Aside from mosquito spraying, which is scheduled to begin this week, the board agreed that lines should be repainted and the dog placed in a more suitable place to ensure safety and noise control.

Patrick Hancock, representing Hancock and Froese Accountants, presented the city with audit information, which showed the city in fair financial condition. Hancock pointed out a decline in reserve funds which are credited to recent additions made to the public library and the demolition of the Kit Carson building, among other things.

Also of note, council agreed unanimously to place the City of La Junta on Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, in which citizens in La Junta are not allowed to light fires or fireworks. The decision mimics that of Otero County, which placed Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on unincorporated areas of Otero County.

A liquor license was granted to Arkansas Valley Hospice for use at Music at the Junction to be held Aug. 2-3, and a change of corporate name was granted to the owner of Boss Hogg's Saloon and Restaurant from Denise G.P. Fargerson to Fargerson, LLC. The name change does not change ownership of the property, but only the name on the liquor license.

An application for Modification of Premises by Red Dog Revisited to add an outdoor drinking patio was tabled indefinitely as representatives have not heard back from the business owner about plans for modification. According to City Attorney Phil Malouff, the owner had originally requested to make modifications to the parking area in the back of the building, however doing so is not in compliance with law, which prompted further discussions with the owner. The application will be revisited as discussions continue.

Klein touched on several recent happenings around the city, including power outages caused by storms, chip seal which will begin throughout the city July 10, and a number of baseball tournaments that will take place in la Junta mid-July.

The council went in to executive session following adjournment. No vote was taken afterwards.

The next scheduled meeting of the La Junta City Council will be July 15. The meeting is open to the public.